Contributors: August 2013

Martina Guzmán

Martina Guzmán was born and raised in Southwest Detroit. She has traveled extensively and has been lucky to live in Greece, Germany, and Mexico. In 2008 she chose to return home to her beloved Detroit. Guzmán is passionate about her Mexican immigrant roots and eagerly agreed to write this guide (page 72) because of her admiration for the hardworking entrepreneurs. In addition to her work as a producer and reporter for Wayne State University’s WDET, Guzmán enjoys making documentaries and undertaking freelance projects that highlight art and culture and the experience of marginalized communities.

Josh Scott

Whether it’s making funny faces and “goo-goo ga-ga” noises for his new baby girl or trying to sneak in a quick sail on the river, Scott is always wishing for a few more hours in the day. The Detroit-based photographer loves the diversity and insight he gains shooting editorial assignments around the country. “Going on my fifth year living in the city, the reality has sunk in on how twisted and complex our Detroit situation is,” he says. “The group of guys who make up The Work (page 42) are just the kind of free-thinking doers that can bring a true Detroit renaissance to fruition. The chemistry’s there, and by the looks of it, so are the clients. The Work works.”

Damon Autry

Damon Autry has been a Detroit-based writer since 1997, penning corporate communication content, as well as magazine feature articles such as the story (page 26) about screenwriter and native Detroiter Jay Anthony White. Autry felt compelled to share White’s story because he, like White, is a movie buff. “Hundreds of ’em,” Autry says about the number of movies he has in his collection. “I love the storytelling and character development components of filmmaking. To chronicle the Hollywood journey of a fellow Detroiter was a cool process.” In addition to his freelance writing, Autry, a journalism major from Central Michigan University, runs a small communications company. This is his first piece for Hour Detroit.

Elizabeth Furest

Elizabeth Furest received her B.A. in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College in Boston. Since returning to her hometown of Detroit, she has worked as a senior scientific publication editor at Henry Ford Hospital. “The emerging bike scene (page 65) isn’t just about new transportation, but rather the dynamics of the city’s transformation,” she says. “These changes are progressive, exciting, fresh, and tangible, pushing us to witness a pivotal moment of understanding of how we play a role in linking the city’s history to its future.” When Furest isn’t reading or writing, she likes riding her 1973 CCM bicycle or training her puppy, Lloyd, to act more like a dog, and less like a beaver.